Basketball Wives Season 3

John Salley was back last night with the second half of the Basketball Wives reunion. There’s more drama than the first half, but it’s just a lot of yelling and cussing about the same old beef. All in all, it was a mediocre end to a mediocre season.

John dives right in, bringing up Meeka’s feelings that the show wasn’t a true representation of who she truly is…and he asks the other ladies if they agree. Meeka is not amused at his attempt to poll the other “wives,” and Evelyn guarantees that Meeka would do another season if asked. Right then and there, Tami vows that if Meeka returns, she won’t. Mmm hmm. Sure.

Following what can only be described as the most dramatic season yet, the ladies gather together in the same room to rehash some of the season’s most dramatic moments. Meeka and Tami will get into it again, while Royce will of course argue with the “circle.” John Salley returns to host the show again this year. It airs tonight at 8/7c on VH1 and a preview clip is below! There are also rumors that Eric Williams might make an appearance on the show (part 1 or part 2) to discuss the drink tossing incident.

In other news, the show’s resident sh*t starter executive producer Shaunie O’Neal is now speaking out against the recent fighting on the show. This is after it came out that the episode featuring the Tami Roman and Meeka Claxtonfight was one of the highest rated of the season. In fact, last week’s finale episode with the drink throwing incident was its highest rated in over 2 years with over 2.6 million viewers tuning in.

Well Shaunie is now claiming she is embarrassed by what the show has become. “When I started the show I really just wanted to follow this group of ladies around. We all have a common bond; we understand each others’ lives. It started as that. Since then, it’s taken on a life of its own,” Shaunie told FOX411’s Pop Tarts. “I never imagined it would be a group of ladies fighting and arguing that way that they do. That was never part of the plan.”

It didn’t end there as Shaunie reveals she feels conflicted that the episodes with the fights garner higher ratings. “I hate that it has to be a fight or an argument that gives us 4.2 million viewers. I hate that, but it’s something where I’m working as hard as I can to show some type of balance, because it is there. We’re going to try to do more of that in season four,” she said. “I know that people love the fighting and the arguing, but I do want to have some positive in there somewhere.” Right Shaunie. Are you buying it?

Following last week’s season 3 premiere of Basketball Wives which pretty much showed newbie Meeka Claxton, you know, sticking her nose into everyone’s business, she is now defending herself.

In a new interview, Meeka, who describes herself as a self-made real estate entrepreneur, does what all the other reality stars before her have done which is to of course blame editing.

When asked what she thought of the season premiere, Meeka states, “I mean, I watched it. And this is what I signed up for–it’s not me, the way I was portrayed, but it was entertaining.” She also says that she feels VH1 is portraying her falsely. “I was very surprised. A lot with Royce; it was all cut out that I said how nice she was, how bubbly she was. So, it’s funny how it started so innocently.”

So had Meeka seen the show before signing up for it? “I watched a few episodes before. But I was always in and out of New York and Atlanta, so I didn’t see every episode,” answered Meeka before going on to add that she doesn’t consider any of the ladies her friends. “I wouldn’t consider any of them friends. But I’m still getting to know them. It’s been such a short amount of time. And I didn’t go in there looking for friends. Its only been about two months, though.”

In other Basketball Wives news, the show continues to prove to be a ratings hit for the VH1 network. Last week’s premiere did pretty well, with over 1.8 million viewers tuning in. That is a 36% increase from last season’s premiere episode. As we reported, it appears VH1 is planning to extend the series with a new franchise in Los Angeles.

And finally, a new episode airs tonight on VH1 at 8/7c. Suzie’s return to the circle upsets Royce, and sparks fly when Tami takes Meeka to task for playing both sides. A preview clip is below –

TELL US – DO YOU THINK EDITING IS TO BLAME FOR MEEKA’S PORTRAYAL? PLUS THOUGHTS ON THE PREVIEW & NEW EPISODE?

The Basketball Wives are back this season, and oh boy, as the drama picks up right where they left off from the reunion show!

The episode begins with the mean girl cliqueEvelyn and Shaunie paying Jennifer a visit. After threatening to leave husband Eric for what seems like the past 2 decades, it seems Jennifer finally made good on her promise! Oh never mind, as Jennifer reveals it was Eric who actually kicked her out of the condo they shared by putting it up for sale.

Jennifer, who is one sneeze away from experiencing a wardrobe malfunction, reveals she is very happy to be living on her own. “I’m just like a new person right now,” says Jen and what better way to celebrate the new Jen than with a divorce party! But wait, has she even filed yet? While the ladies continue their convo, sh*t stirrer Shaunie decides to bring up Tami, and Evelyn reveals there’s still a lot of bad blood. That tends to happen when you sleep with someone’s husband and then call them a “non muthaf*ckin’ factor.” Royce is brought up as well and as expected, they have yet to make up.

And speaking of Royce, who is now sporting a lighter mane, she is now single again after breaking up with what’s his face because they “didn’t mesh.” Firecracker Royce also reveals she hasn’t seen Evelyn in a minute but she is more than ready to box if they ever cross paths, or was it self defense? Oh well, whatever the case, we can expect a WWE match at some point!

The Basketball Wives officially return tonight with the premiere of their third season!

The new season began filming almost immediately following the season 2 reunion show so the drama is still very fresh with all the ladies. Tami Roman is still reeling from finding out Evelyn Lozada slept with her ex-husband, plus you know, that whole being called a “non muthaf*cking factor” thingy too.

A newly single Jennifer tries to find her way, a newly out of the circle Royce mends her friendships with Suzie and Tami, while Shaunie tries to stay out of the drama. New castmember Meeka Claxton also makes her debut tonight and wastes no time in getting right into the thick of things.

In an interview with NicoleBitchie, Shaunie O’Neal talks whether Gloria Govan is returning, slams Royce and takes a not so subtle dig at Meeka by pretty much saying she was desperate to get on the show. Excerpts are below -

Shaunie On Royce – “Royce is back. But truthfully I don’t really deal with her this season. After her behavior at the reunion show, I realized she wasn’t someone I wanted to give my time to… I think the rest of the girls and I have realized that Royce is the type of woman that constantly has to have some sort of drama going on, so we’ve come to expect it. She’s involved in some drama now, with Jen over the leaking of Royce’s pictures. So I try not to deal with her.”

Shaunie On Meeka’s Persistence In Joining The Show – “Meeka was very persistent. She reached out to us regularly, emailing her credentials, pictures, really letting us know why she belonged on the show.”[…]Well she’s already found some drama. I can’t give too much away but let’s just say, she had to learn the hard way.”

When asked whether Gloria will be returning this season, Shaunie replies, “Gloria is actually going to be apart of another show I’m doing.” As you all know, Gloria is currently a Lakers wife-in-waiting living in Los Angeles, which makes us wonder if a Basketball Wives Los Angeles spinoff is in the works.

The new season premieres tonight on VH1 at 8/7c. You can click here to watch the season 3 trailer!

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON SHAUNIE’S INTERVIEW, THE PREVIEW & TONIGHT’S NEW EPISODE?

The VH1 network is planning to turn up the heat this summer with the announcement and premiere dates of some all-new series as well as returning favorites!

Basketball Wives – The biggest surprise of all is the very quick return of the Basketball Wives. While the second season only ended less than 2 months ago, season 3 will debut on May 30 at 9/8c. With the exception of Suzie Ketcham, who quit the show, all of the cast members including Royce Reed, Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Tami Roman, and Jennier Williams will be returning. VH1 also announced that Meeka Claxton, wife of former NBA player Speedy Claxton, has joined the cast. According to reports Meeka and Tami have already gotten into a physical altercation during filming. A photo of Meeka is below!

Famous Food – The network confirmed what we reported weeks ago, which is that reality famewhores Danielle Staub, Heidi Montag, and Jake Pavelka will indeed star together on a new reality show. The concept of the reality show is that the famewhores are given an opportunity to create a flourishing and fully-operating restaurant. Over the course of eight weeks, the colorful crew of “celebrities” will roll up their sleeves and work together to launch their own restaurant, aptly named, “Famous Food.” Joining the above three famewhores will be DJ Paul and Juicy “J” (from rap group Three 6 Mafia), Ashley Dupre (famed ex-prostitute) and Vincent Pastore (“The Sopranos”). The show debuts Sunday, July 10 at 10/9c.

Tough Love – Also returning this summer is Tough Love: Miami. Steve Ward and his mother Joann Ward are back to help single women make a splash in the Miami dating pool. Steve will work with a group of eight single, attractive women, all composed of classic female archetypes including the “too much too soon” romantic, the “gold digger” and the late 30’s “work obsessed.” They will be living together in a house for 10 weeks and given a chance to learn Dating 101.”VH1 Tough Love: Miami” premieres Sunday, July 10 at 9/8c.

Celebrity Rehab – Season 5 of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew Pinsky and Michaele Salahi debuts Wednesday, June 29 at 10/9c. From heartbreak to hope, this season follows Dr. Drew and his patients on their difficult and deeply emotional journey to sobriety, as well as an often raw and unflinching look at the many faces of addiction. As we reported back during filming, Michaele got kicked off the show early on for not having an addiction. Joining Michaele this season are Michael Lohan,Bai Ling, Jeremy Jackson, and Dwight “Doc” Gooden.

﻿Also returning, The T.O. Show season 3 will premiere Monday, August 22 at 10:30/9:30c and La La’s Full Court Life will debut the same night at 10/9c.

TMZ is reporting today that after threatening to quit the show, Evelyn is officially signed on to return. What did it take to get her back on the show? A major increase in her salary by VH1 plus an apology from the show producers.

Evelyn had asked for $20,000 per episode but while she didn’t get that exact amount, her new salary will more than double the $7,500 per episode she was earning before.

TMZ adds that Evelyn also got an apology from producers of the show for the way she was portrayed on the season 2 finale. Though we’re not sure why the producers had to apologize when it was Evelyn herself who admitted to having slept with her costar Tami Roman’s ex-husband while they were still married.

Meanwhile, Shaunie O’Nealtweeted last week that filming had already began on the new season. “Taping all day for BBW season 3 today with my ladies @EvelynLozada and @iamjennifer. Hoping this season will be the best yet!,” tweeted Shaunie on March 27.

And in a recent radio interview, Eric admitted he is still in love with Jennifer and wants to stay married. “I love the woman. I’m still in love with that woman,” said Eric on the DJ Charlamagne show.

Eric added that despite the way things appeared on the show, he was genuinely fighting to save his marriage. “I didn’t want to get a divorce. I’m the one who’s tryin’ to make $h_t happen. It had been a year and a half I’d been tryin’ to. You feel me? Nobody don’t know that part,” said Eric. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out on the third season of the show!

TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT SEASON 3? DO YOU THINK ERIC & JENNIFER WILL GET A DIVORCE?

Days following the dramatic finale episode on the second season of Basketball Wives, TMZ is reporting the show’s star Evelyn Lozada wants to quit the show for good.

The reason? Evelyn feels she was stabbed in the back by Shaunie the producers of the show. More specifically, Evelyn feels the producers violated her trust by telling costar Tami Roman that she slept with her husband while she was still married to him. Though Evelyn claims she wasn’t aware Kenny Anderson was married during the time and that they dated for 6 months.

Evelyn believes Shaunie producers leaked the information to Tami in an effort to incite the violent confrontation that took place on the show’s finale between the two costars. She now “feels completely betrayed” and fired off an email to producers on Monday night saying she wants nothing to do with the show.

Perhaps the reports of Evelyn being in talks to get a spinoff show with fiance Chad Ochiconco might be part of the reason she is so willing to walk away from Basketball Wives.

And speaking of Shaunie O’Neal, who might or might not have not instigated the whole drama for show ratings (she’s also a producer on the show), she is now defending herself as some fans feel she is to blame for the fight. In a new interview with VH1, Shaunie claims she can’t be held responsible for the fight because she wasn’t aware of Evelyn’s secret.

“I couldn’t start something I didn’t know. I didn’t know that about Evelyn… Before we brought Tami on the show, I talked to Evelyn and Jen, just to run it past them and to see if they knew her. It was kind of like, “I’ve heard of her,” no big deal,” said Shaunie. “Did I hold a gun to Evelyn’s head and say, “You gotta go”? No. Did I think telling Tami was what she should have done? Yes. The only reason I went with her was to support both of them. I felt both sides.”

As for Tami, she tweeted on Sunday night she “felt stupid” upon finding out Evelyn’s secret, citing that everybody knew but her. “My thing is – I don’t care that @EvelynLozada slept w/Kenny- WHO DIDN’T. I was more concerned about the friendship I thought we were developing,” tweeted Tami.

And finally, a third season of Basketball Wives is a sure thing at the moment as Sunday night’s finale was the highest rated episode of the series plus the highest rated show on the VH1 network since 2009, with over 2.3 million total viewers tuning in. The ratings even helped the debut of new series Love & Hip Hop which also received high ratings with over 1.9 million viewers. VH1 reveals Love & Hip Hop will officially premiere on Monday, March 14 at 10:30/9:30c

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON EVELYN WANTING TO LEAVE THE SHOW? DO YOU THINK SHAUNIE IS TO BLAME FOR THE FIGHT? PLUS THOUGHTS ON LOVE & HIP HOP?